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NEWS FROM NORKA |
Government to undertake foreign recruitments
The Government has decided to bring all foreign recruitments under the direct control of it, informed Mr. V. S. Achuthanandan, Chief Minister. This measure will curb the illegal practices in foreign recruitments, he said. The Norka-Roots has obtained licence to recruit job aspirants to foreign countries. A special cell will be formed in the police department to deal with illegal recruits. A pension plan for expatriates as part of the welfare schemes is also in the active consideration of the government.
Vayalar Ravi to visit Gulf countries
The Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, Mr. Vayalar Ravi has commenced his tour to the Gulf countries on 19th September. The visit by Mr. Ravi would focus on various issues faced by Indians residing in countries in the Gulf region and would also hold discussion with respective administrators of the region. As part of the tour, Mr. Ravi would also review the progress of the recently signed agreements with some of the countries in the Gulf on matters pertaining to employment. The ten-day tour would take Mr. Ravi to Bahrain, U.A.E. and Oman.
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NEWS FROM OTHER SOURCES |
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UAE strengthens rules
UAE will now take stern action against the institutions that violate the labour rules and laws. The firms, which employ those without adequate documents, will be denied licence to function, explained Mr. Ali Abdullah Al Kaabi, Minister for Labour and Social Affairs. It is a punishable offence to employ someone who illegally leaves the firm that issued their visas and those who are sponsored by other institutions. Government and semi-government employees shouldn’t be employed anywhere else. Those who possess a visiting visa are also not permitted to work here and if anyone is employed thus, he or she will be debarred from the profession for at least one year.
An employee cannot move from one firm to another without the nod of the Ministry of Labour. Those who possess Free Zone visas also cannot work in any other places. Labour officials will be more alert henceforth to detect such cases.
UAE issues temporary work permits
Taking into concern the inadequate number of expatriate workers, United Arab Emirates has issued temporary work permits called ‘mission visas’. Henceforth, all companies will be able to seek temporary work permits and recruit foreign manpower, informed Mr. Obaid Rashid Al Zahmi, Assistant Under-secretary in the Ministry of Labour. These work permits, which once were limited to oil and energy companies, will have the duration of three months. Companies will have to pay $136 to activate this and for the extension of the permit, they have to pay $316 along with an $817 bank guarantee. Mr. Al Zahmi said that the permit is not expensive and it will enable the firms to check the credentials and performance of the workers they have recruited. He also assured that the workers’ rights would be adequately protected.
Work regulations in Bahrain
The Indian mission in Bahrain has issued new regulations to protect the interests of the Indian workers. According to the regulations, housemaids employed in Bahrain are entitled to get a minimum wage of $265 per month. The regulations will soon be applicable to all Indian workers in Bahrain. Mr. Balkrishna Shetty, Indian Ambassador to Bahrain, has informed that all Indians recruited for jobs in the Gulf and their employers should sign contracts attested by the respective missions.
GCC to limit the stay of unskilled workers
Gulf Corporation Council (GCC), a six-nation organisation, is considering steps to limit the stay period of unskilled expatriates into six years. The “three plus three law”, as the Gulf countries call it, would permit the unskilled workers to stay for three years first and then they can extend their stay for three more years. After the tenure, they would be asked to leave for their countries, informed Mr. Ali bin Abdullah Al Kaabi, Minister for Labour, UAE. The regulations, however, will not affect the skilled workers. Indians are the dominant expatriate community in GCC countries and a final recommendation in this regard will be declared at the GCC summit scheduled at Doha in the month of December.
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| INFO KERALA |
Kochi to host international coir fair
Kochi will host the India International Coir Fair, scheduled to start on December 7 this year. The venue has been shifted from Alappuzha to Kochi considering the better facilities of the latter. This was disclosed after an organising committee meeting presided by Mr. A. C. Jose, Chairman, Coir Board. The fair, which takes place in Jawaharlal Nehru International stadium, will have representatives from Europe, America, Australia and many other countries.
Permanent exhibition centre at Kalamassery
A permanent exhibition centre will be set up in Kalamassery, Kochi, to promote and market industrial products. Mr. Elamaram Kareem, Minister for Industries, informed that the 400 crore plan will be completed with the help of the private sector. The 4,00,000 square feet centre will have modern amenities like hotel complexes.
The Government also proposes to conduct fairs in various parts of the state to promote rural products. These fairs would concentrate on the special products of each district, i.e. coir in Alappuzha, cashew s in Kollam and handloom in Kannur.
Spice exports on a high
Kerala is well retaining its legacy of being the state of precious spices by reporting a 26% increase in the spice export. Half of the target for the financial year has been achieved by the month of August itself. There is a rise of 34% in terms of rupee value, too, informed the Kochi-based Spices Board
Infrastructures Kerala gets a good start
Infrastructures Kerala Limited (InKeL), a joint venture of the State Government and NoRKA, has gathered 78 crore rupees already assuring a fine way ahead, informed Mr. Elamaram Kareem, Minister for Industries.
InKeL has been formed to develop industrial infrastructure in the state. The company is designed on the Cochin International Airport model and it will have an initial capital base of 100 crore rupees. Retail investors hold 52% of it and the investors’ share so far is Rs.6 crores. The rest of the capital will come from institutional investors and banks and financial institutions also have come forth to assist the venture, Mr. Kareem said. |
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| FORTNIGHT'S HIGHLIGHTS |
Sparkling achievement for CSL
The Cochin Shipyard Limited has achieved a 300% increase in its profit, repeating its success story of the previous years. The total income of CSL in 2006-2007 shows a 200% increase, with Rs. 845 crores. Mr. M. Jithendran, Chief Managing Director, CSL, attributed the success to the employees of the company.
The Yard’s production achievement in shipbuilding during the year was Rs. 241.53 crores compared to Rs. 151.26 crores in 2005-2006. At the end of the year, CSL gained orders to build 16 ships, including 3 Bulk Carriers, 12 Platform Supply Ships and one Air Defence Ships. Now, the company is on its way to construct India’s first indigenous Aircraft Carrier.
NASSCOM to hold NAC in Kerala
In association with Kerala State Information Technology Mission (KSITM), the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) is all set to hold its NASSCOM Assessment of Competence (NAC) on December 16 in Kerala.
By evolving a benchmark for candidates aspiring to take up a career in the IT enabled and BPO service sectors, NAC would assess the eligibility of candidates for the same and thereby help IT and BPO companies to have the best of manpower. Candidates emerging successful after taking NAC would be given national level certification. The test would assess the candidates skill in short essay writing, analysis, numerical ability, spoken English and comprehension skill. Further details on NAC can be had from www.keralaitmission.org.
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| IN THE LIMELIGHT |
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Perumthitta Tharavad Kottamkuzhy, December 7-16, 2007 at Perumthitta near Chandrapuram in Kasaragod District.
Kanathoor Nalvar Bhoothasthanam, December 28, 2007 – January 1, 2008, at Kanathoor Nalvar Bhoothasthanam, Kasaragod district.
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KALEIDOSCOPE |
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Alappuzha Backwater
In this issue, we take you to one of the many scenic settings of Kerala backwaters. The image we have for you shows one of the typical backwater settings from the Kuttanad region in Alappuzha District.
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Ulli Theeyal
| Ingredients |
Quantity |
| Small onions (shallots) |
100 g |
| Coconut (grated) |
100 g |
| Coconut oil |
50 ml |
| Fenugreek seeds |
5 g |
| Mustard seeds |
5 g |
| Curry leaves |
few sprigs |
| Red chilli (whole) |
5 g |
| Tamarind |
10 g |
| Jagery |
5 g |
| Salt |
to taste |
| Aniseeds |
5 g |
| Pepper corn (whole) |
10 g |
| Coriander seeds |
10 g |
| Garlic flakes |
3 |
| Cumin seeds |
5 g |
Method of preparation:
1.Make a fine smooth paste of grated coconut, coriander seeds, red chilli, pepper corns, cumin seed, aniseeds and garlic.
2.Sauté the peeled sliced shallots in coconut oil till it becomes brown.
3.Add chilli powder, coriander powder, tamarind pulp and cook for about 4 minutes.
4.Add the curry paste to the mixture and cook for further 4 minutes.
5.Check for seasoning.
6.Garnish with curry leaves and serve piping hot
Courtesy: Club Mahindra, Idduki |
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